He is a damage monster machine unduped, but a damage monster machine with a lot of utility at sig 200.
That said, he's one of those champs that I wouldn't rank up as 6*s until sig stones become a lot more accessible for those guys. I'm quite happy with my full-sig 5*. Same with champs like Namor and Void.
Unduped he can still throw some face melting damaging sp2s, if at 5 shield charges and you charge heavy-fire sp2. Also, unduped he still has the glacing mechanic as well as the highest block proficiency in the game. So "useless"???? Absolutely not.
Less utility? sure. Less usability in certain nodes that require shrugging off dots and/or placing debuffs (such as armor break, weakness, etc) on the opponent ? Sure. But "useless" is far from accurate.
What's the most preferred way to use him, unawakened?
Same way you play him if he was awakened. Parry heavy until you get to an sp2 with five charges. Then with five charges, parry heavy again, but cancel the 2nd heavy hit into sp2.
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That said, he's one of those champs that I wouldn't rank up as 6*s until sig stones become a lot more accessible for those guys. I'm quite happy with my full-sig 5*. Same with champs like Namor and Void.
Less utility? sure. Less usability in certain nodes that require shrugging off dots and/or placing debuffs (such as armor break, weakness, etc) on the opponent ? Sure. But "useless" is far from accurate.
Cap’s awakened utility comes with the block.
Edit: Also his glancing and physical & energy resist